Rowing on Humboldt Bay

I thought I would share with you one of my other activities besides weaving rugs. For exercise, I row in a single shell. Here in Eureka, California we are very lucky to have the Humboldt Bay Rowing Association. It was founded in 1987 by a few of us who had been rowing for about two years. It just can’t be beat for exercise, and even though we row in the same places, there is always variety in tidal conditions, currents, other boat traffic, and especially the kinds of birds we see on any given day. Some of the birds out there are sea gulls, brown pelicans, common loons, Canada geese, brant geese, grebes, terns, scoters, kingfishers, various ducks, etc. We have harbor seals in our bay and they are very curious about the boats and pop up to look at us with big brown eyes. Weather permitting, I row with friends three or four mornings a week. Rowing keeps me fit for operating my big rug loom. It works out most muscle groups and is always an exercise in balance, as the boats I row in range in length from 24 feet to 27 feet long, and they are 16-1/2 inches wide. They are quite tippy, so it takes paying attention to business when I’m out there on the water. Here are some photos of me rowing.

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Nancy Kennedy Designs

In 1991, I received my first rug from Nancy, a 32" by 54" blue, with red accents and a fringe. It has been in various places in my house, at times with a fair amount of traffic, but mostly in my bedroom where it gets use, but not heavy use. It really looks as good as new, hasn't faded, and is easily kept clean. I always appreciate the feel of a wool rug, walking on it with bare feet.

The second rug I got was in 2007, 30" by 52", a much more dense rug with vivid colors, and one that is reversible. I love this rug because of the colors, the tightness of the weave, and the ease in caring for it. Once a year I treat it with a stain repellant and then just vacuum it when needed.

The third rug was a major investment in 2010, a rug for my living room, 52" by 85." This rug is very colorful, with designs worked out over a period of several months. Nancy offered several design models, and we negotiated the patterns and colors to get the rug I wanted. I'm extremely pleased with this rug, the colors, the patterns, the size, and the durability. Because it is in a high traffic area, it has constant use by my cat and dog, as well as visiting dogs. It has had wine spills and other food dropped on it. Despite this use, there are no stains and no signs of wear. That speaks to the quality of the material and the tightness of weave. I do treat the rug with a stain repellent.